Audio Control Factory Sound Processor With Equalization and Time Delay (DQ61)

Perfect tone and balance

You need a lot of tone control to achieve high-quality sound in the quirky acoustics of the mobile environment. With seven bands of equalization on each pair of front, rear, and subwoofer channels, the DQ-61 can tune the complete audio spectrum almost to perfection. Its Signal Delay function centers the musical image so it sounds balanced at about windshield height, instead of down around your left knee. An included wired remote lets you make adjustments and control the sub level from your front seat.

Bring back the bass

Many factory radios turn the bass down as the volume increases, protecting the vehicle's cheap factory speakers, but losing low-end power and punch. AudioControl developed a patent pending AccuBASS™ circuit that restores the bass the factory system erased, giving you much fuller and more enjoyable sound. The AccuBASS works on the DQ-61's subwoofer output channel, so your sub amp can work with a totally restored bass signal.

Overview: The DQ-61 is a 6-channel active line output converter, with built-in signal delay circuitry, equalizer, and AudioControl's AccuBASS processor.

Line Output Converter: The six channel active line output converter allows you to keep the factory radio, and still dramatically improve your car audio system performance. The DQ-61 accepts up to six channel (front, rear, and sub) speaker-level input from your factory radio or amplifier(s), and converts to six high voltage pre-amp signals, to feed aftermarket amplifiers. The speaker level inputs are compatible with nearly any factory stereo system, even most Bose systems. There are three pair of inputs that will accommodate up to 400 watts per channel.

Time Alignment: By delaying the left speaker output a few milliseconds, the Signal Delay feature lets you effectively center the listener (driver) between the left and right speakers, thus optimizing the sound stage. The Signal Delay feature also allows adjustment of the front speaker output relative to the subwoofer, to effectively bring the subwoofer forward in the car. AudioControl offers a free set-up app for iPhone and iPad, available at the AudioControl website.

Equalizer: The front, rear, and subwoofer outputs have independent 7-band equalizers. The front and rear EQ bands are centered at 125 Hz, 175 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 8 kHz. The subwoofer bands are centered at 31.5 Hz, 40 Hz, 50 Hz, 63 Hz, 80 Hz, 100 Hz, and 125 Hz. Each dial is continuously variable from -12 dB to +12 dB and there's a notch at the center position so it's easy to return to the flat setting.

AccuBASS: AccuBASS automatically corrects the intentional bass roll-off common in many factory installed audio systems. This patent pending (as of 10/2/13) circuitry maintains and restores the bass output level as the volume is turned up, improving the overall audio performance.

Remote: The included ACR-3 wired remote gives you easy access to the subwoofer output level. The remote is also used to program the Signal Delay circuit, and to bypass the signal processor, for an A/B comparison with and without the Signal Delay, equalizer, and AccuBASS circuits. The remote is designed to be dash mounted, within reach of the driver; it can be mounted under the dash with the supplied bracket, or the bracket can be removed and the knob and LEDs can be custom mounted through the dash. Dimensions:

• Width: 2.558"
• Height: 1.477"
• Depth: 1.811" (2.465" including knob)

Input/Output Level: The input gains and output levels are set independently for the front, rear, and sub channels. To help correctly set the input, a Maximized LED lights to indicate the input is just below clipping. The adjustable output level allows you to increase the source line voltage to the top of your amplifier's input range; up to 7.5 volts RMS.

Channel Summing: If your factory audio system has separate amplifier channels with built-in crossovers, connected directly to tweeters, midranges, and/or woofers, those signals will likely need to be combined (summed) into a single full range signal. The DQ-61 has internal jumper settings that allow you to select which input signals will be combined (none, front/rear, or front/rear/sub).

Auto Turn-on: The GTO (Great Turn-On) Circuit turns on the DQ-61 when it detects a signal on the front speaker level input. There is also remote out terminal that provides a trigger to turn on your amplifier. The GTO circuit can be turned off if you prefer a wired turn-on trigger.

Ground Isolation: The power supply ground is switchable, in case of ground loop noise. The factory position is fully isolated (typically the best choice), but can be changed to Ground or 200Ω.

AutoMode: Some cars have low level or other unusual signals on their speaker leads that may not trigger the AutoMode circuit and result in signal switching. When this occurs you can manually turn off the AutoMode function by changing the internal jumper setting.

Terminal Blocks: The power terminal and the three speaker level input terminals are removable; the wiring is attached to the block, then the block is plugged into the DQ-61. Each terminal block will accommodate wire up to 12 gauge.